2 year old hen Americana acting ill

[ItsYelik]

We noticed today when I went to take care of all the babies that our 2 year old hen Muffin an Americana was acting lethargic and drooping her wings. We looked at her vent and noticed it was dilated, with clear-white discharge. We brought her in the the house to monitor her, and she pushed out a nickel sized soft shell egg. Then, as I’m typing this, she pushed out another soft shell egg that was way bigger than her usual. She seems to be getting better as of right now, but I’m wondering if she might’ve been eggbound? Or if there might be a calcium issue? Any advice/information would be greatly appreciated. I’ll attach a photo of her vent before and after she passed the eggs. Thank you!

 

[Eggcessive]

It does sound like she is having some problem laying. Has she recently molted or has she just started laying after a break? I would get her drinking some water and eating, and give a calcium tablet with vitamin D, or a Tums. You could give 1/2 tablet daily for several days. When hens experience shell-less eggs or laying membranes or parts of egg, they may act very weak and drained. Usually when the material is passed, they may perk up until it happens again.

 

[ItsYelik]

She had recently molted month ago with a break from laying, but we will be sure to start giving her some tums. She’s perked up a lot more, but I’ll keep my eye on her.
Thank you so much! I’ll keep you updated if things change

 

[ameliathedominant]

what was the interval between laying?

 

[ItsYelik]

what was the interval between laying?

She laid the first egg, and then the second one came about 2 minutes later.

 

[ameliathedominant]

i suggest getting her some calcium tablets. that should help with the soft shells. do you have any pics of the eggs?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It does sound like she is having some problem laying. Has she recently molted or has she just started laying after a break? I would get her drinking some water and eating, and give a calcium tablet with vitamin D, or a Tums. You could give 1/2 tablet daily for several days. When hens experience shell-less eggs or laying membranes or parts of egg, they may act very weak and drained. Usually when the material is passed, they may perk up until it happens again.

X2 Exactly what I would do.

 

[ItsYelik]

i suggest getting her some calcium tablets. that should help with the soft shells. do you have any pics of the eggs?

I wish I had gotten pictures of the eggs. One was a nickel sized white egg (which is odd because she lays green eggs). The other was a large green egg. The first one had no yolk, just whites, but the second one had a giant yolk. Both soft shell

 

[Eggcessive]

I wish I had gotten pictures of the eggs. One was a nickel sized white egg (which is odd because she lays green eggs). The other was a large green egg. The first one had no yolk, just whites, but the second one had a giant yolk. Both soft shell

All eggs start out white, and the color is applied in the oviduct or shell gland. She could be suffering from impacted oviduct or salpingitis. She probably feels lousy when the egg products are in her egg tract. I would keep offering the calcium. Hopefully she will get better. Some vets will offer hormone implants to stop laying. Decreasing light and keeping them in a dark cage for 16 hours a day can eventually stop them from laying temporarily over several days. Hens will sometimes stop laying eggs after suffering laying problems.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here are a couple of articles to read about impacted oviduct:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...tem/egg-bound-or-impacted-oviducts-in-poultry

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/oviduct-impaction